"In 2006, he was Long Beach State's third baseman. Tampa Bay picked him third in the first round of the baseball draft. He went through the minor leagues — just 205 games — like he was washing his hands.

"In April of this year, well before he had faced every major league team, the Rays signed him to a six-year contract that could stretch through 2016 if they pick up all their options. Soon Longoria was batting fourth for an American League East contender. Soon that contender was a champion, and Longoria was hitting six home runs with 11 RBIs in the first rounds of the playoffs."

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